My perspectives regarding this course and the concepts of psychology are somewhat changed since I have taken this course. I use to believe that psychology was a psychologist and a patient sitting there in an office discussing the patients problems.
Now I see quite differently, for instance the mind of a murderer is not at all normal. Reduced activity in the frontal lobe of the brain, which helps control impulses was found in the brains of murderers. Their levels of arousal are lower than normal. The higher the stress level the more arousal a person has. These are all very interesting things that I learned from unit eight.
During this course I also learned from unit seven, psychological disorders. The four different kinds of disorders and their symptoms. I also learned about the mood disorders which were very interesting to me. I had often wondered what could possibly make a person happy one minute then in the next they flip out and start crying, within a matter of minutes. I also learned a great deal about schizophrenia and it's causes and symptoms.
I unit six I really appreciated the information about memory. How we encode information in our brain and later retrieve it as needed. I learned how memories are stored in our brain and the center for our memory is the amygdala. I now understand why I think of certain things when I hear see smell or even taste something. And that sometimes certain memories do not just go away.
Our forgetting information is our failure to encode information for entry in our memory system. Memories are not stored as exact copies so they are not retrieved as exact copies.
I learned how to solve problems in an effective way by taking on a new fresh perspective.
In unit five I learned of Sigmund Freud's treatment of emotional disorders and his view of free association and dreams. Freud believed that children develop through psychosexual stages. He suggested that our personalities are influenced by how we have resolved conflicts associated with these stages and whether we have remained fixated at any stage. But ther ewere those who argued Freud's ideas. They argued that we have motives other than sex and aggressin, and that ego's conscious control is greater than Freud supposed.
I learned of the five personality factors and how they genetic and biological factors influence these traits.
I learned attitudes predict behavior only under certain conditions, as when other influences are minimized., when hte attitude is specific to the behavior, and when people are aware of their attitudes.
Unit four was also helpful bringing out our senses, how they are used, why and how the brain signals the receptors in order for us to be able to use these senses. Perception was also a big topic in this unit. even bringing out how a baby has depth perception.
Sleep disorders was another something I learned from this unit. Why we sleep, dreams and REM sleep modes.
In unit three development of humans proved to be helpful in learning how a person's mind develops from infancy. Social, cognitive, and physical development were studied in this unit.
In unit two the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist were distinguished. The different types of psychologist were mentioned. and theory and hypothesis were discussed.
I learned that the master gland was the pituitary gland and parasympathetic and sympathetic
nervous system. Perceptual tasks like pictures are recognized in the right hemisphere of the brain. And damage to the hippocampus could cause an ill-tempered person to become rather mild.
I really found this course to be very helpful as I pursue the rest of my studies. I feel as though it was well worth my time and energy. I will use this knowledge that I have learned everyday and always. I truly enjoyed this course.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Unit Wrap Up Unit Eight
From this unit I learned of the physiology of hunger, what causes it and how it can be different for everyone due to their body chemistry. I learned about the psychology of sex how explicit materials may lead people to perceive their partners as comparatively less appealing and to devalue their relationships.
I learned about a persons sexual orientation, how it is neither willfully chosen nor willfully changed.
Evidence links sexual orientation with genetic influences, prenatal hormones, and certain brain structures,
Regarding sex and human values I learned that our need to belong and to feel loved is only natural.
I learned that expressing anger can actually make us angrier.
I also learned of happiness how a good mood boosts people's perception of the world and their willingness to help others.
I learned about a persons sexual orientation, how it is neither willfully chosen nor willfully changed.
Evidence links sexual orientation with genetic influences, prenatal hormones, and certain brain structures,
Regarding sex and human values I learned that our need to belong and to feel loved is only natural.
I learned that expressing anger can actually make us angrier.
I also learned of happiness how a good mood boosts people's perception of the world and their willingness to help others.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Women and Deppression
The large difference for women experiencing depression at twice the rate as men is due to the cycle of depression. When trouble strikes, women tend to think men tend to act
I really feel the difference can be both biologically and socially based because a women suffers more than a man. Women can ruminate about anything and everything, about appearance, our family, our career, our health.
I do feel that it is possible that women are simply more willing to admit to being depressed than men. As a researcher I would asses men and women who have gone through similar traumatic situations that would could possibly cause depression. I would record how likely or unlikely a women would be willing to admit and even seek medical attention for depression.
I would choose this method because it best rates and measures between men and women which one are more willing to admit they are depressed.
The measures I would take to minimize the anticipated reporting problems would be a reinforcer or bonus. maybe offering a reward some material item or something extra to help minimize their depression.
The biological factors that might account for womens greater susceptibility to depression could be because women have more vivid recall for both wonderful and horrid experiences.
The social factors that might account for womens greater susceptibility to depression could be the fact that women worry and ruminate more about how they are compared to others. Their families, career and health are all a part of it too.
Depression becomes much more common in women after adolescence, a womens period and hormonal changes within her body may account for this change.
I really feel the difference can be both biologically and socially based because a women suffers more than a man. Women can ruminate about anything and everything, about appearance, our family, our career, our health.
I do feel that it is possible that women are simply more willing to admit to being depressed than men. As a researcher I would asses men and women who have gone through similar traumatic situations that would could possibly cause depression. I would record how likely or unlikely a women would be willing to admit and even seek medical attention for depression.
I would choose this method because it best rates and measures between men and women which one are more willing to admit they are depressed.
The measures I would take to minimize the anticipated reporting problems would be a reinforcer or bonus. maybe offering a reward some material item or something extra to help minimize their depression.
The biological factors that might account for womens greater susceptibility to depression could be because women have more vivid recall for both wonderful and horrid experiences.
The social factors that might account for womens greater susceptibility to depression could be the fact that women worry and ruminate more about how they are compared to others. Their families, career and health are all a part of it too.
Depression becomes much more common in women after adolescence, a womens period and hormonal changes within her body may account for this change.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Memory
There are three fundamental principles that underlie the use of mnemonics-definition being devices to aide in remembering long passages. 1) Mentally revisiting a location and retrieve the associated image. 2) Acoustic codes- memorizing a jingle. 3) Visual codes- Imagine the things that you recall, visually associate them with the jingle and practice, practice, practice remembering.
Three mnemonic techniques are: 1) Number shape techniques, this technique works by helping you to build pictures in your mind, in which the numbers are represented by images. 2) Number Rhyme, in which you represent numbers by things that rhyme with the number 3) Using mnenomics to learn more effectively, in which you would use positive, pleasant images. Exaggerate the size of important parts of the image. Use humor, funny or peculiar things that are easier to remember than normal ones.
One of these mnemonic devices that can be used for an exam would be the number rhyme technique. For example" number one - so much fun". I also feel that learning through images can be very effective too for studying.
Some undesireable behaviors associated with low EQ are; Abuse, self harm and insecurity.
Scientists argue the concept of the EQ. by Daniel Goleman, a Harvard psychology PhD. David Caruso feels that people have been misled by Golemans' study of emotional intelligence. David thought that Goleman's idea of emotional intelligence was absurd, ridiculous and embarrassing. One of the things Goleman believed in was that chanting was a way to relieve stress.(UTNE Reader, Thinking Ahead) & (http://eqi.org/)
The concept of EQ is being used in the business world too. At Bell Labs, where everyone is smart, studies find that the most valued and productive engineers are those with traits of emotional intelligence. Using EQ in the business world helps to obtain the most committed, sympathetic and caring person (UTNA Reader, Thinking Ahead).
From this unit I learned detailed points of memory and encoding information.
Three mnemonic techniques are: 1) Number shape techniques, this technique works by helping you to build pictures in your mind, in which the numbers are represented by images. 2) Number Rhyme, in which you represent numbers by things that rhyme with the number 3) Using mnenomics to learn more effectively, in which you would use positive, pleasant images. Exaggerate the size of important parts of the image. Use humor, funny or peculiar things that are easier to remember than normal ones.
One of these mnemonic devices that can be used for an exam would be the number rhyme technique. For example" number one - so much fun". I also feel that learning through images can be very effective too for studying.
Some undesireable behaviors associated with low EQ are; Abuse, self harm and insecurity.
Scientists argue the concept of the EQ. by Daniel Goleman, a Harvard psychology PhD. David Caruso feels that people have been misled by Golemans' study of emotional intelligence. David thought that Goleman's idea of emotional intelligence was absurd, ridiculous and embarrassing. One of the things Goleman believed in was that chanting was a way to relieve stress.(UTNE Reader, Thinking Ahead) & (http://eqi.org/)
The concept of EQ is being used in the business world too. At Bell Labs, where everyone is smart, studies find that the most valued and productive engineers are those with traits of emotional intelligence. Using EQ in the business world helps to obtain the most committed, sympathetic and caring person (UTNA Reader, Thinking Ahead).
From this unit I learned detailed points of memory and encoding information.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Personality
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter identifies these specific temperaments; Artisan, Gaurdian, Rationale and the Idealist.
The Personality types identified for the Keirsey Temperament Sorter are:
1) Those who speak mostly of their responsibilities and duties and of what they can keep and eye on and take care of. This personality is derived from the Gaurdian temperament because of some of it's characteristics, which are dependable, helpful, and hard-working.
2) Those who speak mostly what they hope for and imagine might be possible for people. This personality is derived from the Idealists temperament, The characteristicts being, enthusiastic, trusting their instincts, yearn for romance and seek their true self.
3) Those who speak mostly about what they see right in front of them, what they can get their hands on and they will do whatever works. This personality is derived from the Artisans temperament. The characteristics being, fun-loving, optmistic, realistic, and focused on the here and now.
4) Those who speak mostly of what new problems intrigue them and what new solutions they envision. This personality derived from the Rationals temperament. Characteristics being pragmatic, skeptical, self-contained and focused on problem- solving and system analysis.
I feel as though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified all of these temperaments. His personality was one that was most favored by many. He seemed to be fun-loving, very helpful, enthusiastic about justice and focused on a better quality of life for all people. He was a very inspirational person.
After taking the Keirsey Temperament Sorter test I do agree with my scored profile because I am the type of person that is focused on the here and now and I am very down-to-earth.
I do believe that the Keirsey Temperament Sorter has a greater validity because the test gives a complete or well rounded profile of the person taking it. The site brings out that this test helps organizations and people to better understand themselves and others. The team that developed the test provided it to over 20 million people from 140 countries and 7 different languages. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II is curently being used in Fortune 500 companies and Major Universities. It is also being used by the U.S. government and military.
Examples of Social Psychology in the news: 1) Are Humans hard-wired to believe in a higher, power? Scientists are working to track how the human brain processes religion, spirituality. 2) Getting serious about happiness is another article that discusses how a leading expert on well-being, is establishing what he calls, the worlds first PhD program focusing on positive psychology. 3) Mental exercise improves stroke outcome, where a traditional habilitation program that icorporates mental practice of tasks during therapy significantly improves outcome in patients with chronic stroke.
Ten steps for effectively negotiating the purchase of a used car would be: 1) Always go way below what you would be willing to pay. 2) Never act like you are in desperate need. 3) Always come into a lot as if you are only browsing and you are not really serious about purchasing a car. 4) Always be hestitant at whatever they offer, remember it is your money. 5) Be firm and confident when discussing prices. 6) Never let them know all of what you have to put down, if anything at all. 7) Make sure the vehicle you buy has everything you want, with or without extra cost. 8) Take care to remember the taxes and other fees involved. 9) Definitely know the cheapest you can buy the vehicle for. 10) Always make sure when the deal is done that you are happy with your decision.
Ten rejection lines used by women and men are: 1) I have a someone already. 2) I am interested in the other sex. 3) I don't date. 4) You are not my type. 5) I am busy doing other things in my life at this point. 6) I have a lot of children. 7) I have a child on the way. 8) I live with my parents. 9) I am too sick. 10) I am really not interested.
From this unit I learned about the unconcious mind, group influence and aggression.
The Personality types identified for the Keirsey Temperament Sorter are:
1) Those who speak mostly of their responsibilities and duties and of what they can keep and eye on and take care of. This personality is derived from the Gaurdian temperament because of some of it's characteristics, which are dependable, helpful, and hard-working.
2) Those who speak mostly what they hope for and imagine might be possible for people. This personality is derived from the Idealists temperament, The characteristicts being, enthusiastic, trusting their instincts, yearn for romance and seek their true self.
3) Those who speak mostly about what they see right in front of them, what they can get their hands on and they will do whatever works. This personality is derived from the Artisans temperament. The characteristics being, fun-loving, optmistic, realistic, and focused on the here and now.
4) Those who speak mostly of what new problems intrigue them and what new solutions they envision. This personality derived from the Rationals temperament. Characteristics being pragmatic, skeptical, self-contained and focused on problem- solving and system analysis.
I feel as though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified all of these temperaments. His personality was one that was most favored by many. He seemed to be fun-loving, very helpful, enthusiastic about justice and focused on a better quality of life for all people. He was a very inspirational person.
After taking the Keirsey Temperament Sorter test I do agree with my scored profile because I am the type of person that is focused on the here and now and I am very down-to-earth.
I do believe that the Keirsey Temperament Sorter has a greater validity because the test gives a complete or well rounded profile of the person taking it. The site brings out that this test helps organizations and people to better understand themselves and others. The team that developed the test provided it to over 20 million people from 140 countries and 7 different languages. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II is curently being used in Fortune 500 companies and Major Universities. It is also being used by the U.S. government and military.
Examples of Social Psychology in the news: 1) Are Humans hard-wired to believe in a higher, power? Scientists are working to track how the human brain processes religion, spirituality. 2) Getting serious about happiness is another article that discusses how a leading expert on well-being, is establishing what he calls, the worlds first PhD program focusing on positive psychology. 3) Mental exercise improves stroke outcome, where a traditional habilitation program that icorporates mental practice of tasks during therapy significantly improves outcome in patients with chronic stroke.
Ten steps for effectively negotiating the purchase of a used car would be: 1) Always go way below what you would be willing to pay. 2) Never act like you are in desperate need. 3) Always come into a lot as if you are only browsing and you are not really serious about purchasing a car. 4) Always be hestitant at whatever they offer, remember it is your money. 5) Be firm and confident when discussing prices. 6) Never let them know all of what you have to put down, if anything at all. 7) Make sure the vehicle you buy has everything you want, with or without extra cost. 8) Take care to remember the taxes and other fees involved. 9) Definitely know the cheapest you can buy the vehicle for. 10) Always make sure when the deal is done that you are happy with your decision.
Ten rejection lines used by women and men are: 1) I have a someone already. 2) I am interested in the other sex. 3) I don't date. 4) You are not my type. 5) I am busy doing other things in my life at this point. 6) I have a lot of children. 7) I have a child on the way. 8) I live with my parents. 9) I am too sick. 10) I am really not interested.
From this unit I learned about the unconcious mind, group influence and aggression.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Research on Sleep and Sleep Disorders
As society and lifestyles change the amount of time needed to sleep has declined. The time spent awake seems to have taken over. From the early morning risers to the late night insomnia, over the years sleeing habits have definitely changed.
According to The National Sleep Foundation women definitely have a reason to lose more sleep than men. One of the reasons that was brought out was the rotating shifts and night shift schedules, this makes it hard to have a regular healthy sleep habit. Of course 20 years ago, less women worked, many stayed home taking care of their families. They were able to at least sleep at night and maybe take a nap now and then.
Another reason why women get less sleep than men do is because of pain. Again the National Foundation for Sleep brought out that (58%) more women suffer from night time pain than men (48%) according to a 1996 NSF Gallup poll. In more recent (2000) NSF Sleep in America poll, one in four women reported that pain or physical discomfort interrupted their sleep three nights a week or more.
A social factor that may account for this gender difference would be again their rotating shifts. Working a rotating shift takes away from time spent with family/home responsibilities and enjoying recreational activites (National Sleep Foundation).
A psychological factor may be menopause. Menopause is a time for hormonal, physical and a psychological change for a womans body. Understanding menopause and the changes that occur can help with insomnia during this period.
A physiological factor would be insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation more women are more likely to report insomnia than men. Fortunately, their are a number of approaches to improving sleep, including those you can do yourself , such as exercise, establishing regular bed and wake times, dietary changes (less or no caffine or alcohol) and improving your sleep environment. One recent study found that overweight, post-menopausal,
women who exercise in the morning experience less difficulty falling asleep and better quality sleep than evening exercisers.
Some factors that may explain why sleep disorders go untreated according to the National Sleep Foundation people disregard talking to their physician about their sleep disorders. Two out of ten people in a survey would not seek help from a doctor.
I have learned from this unit the importance of our senses and how they are used to determine our perception of the world around us.
According to The National Sleep Foundation women definitely have a reason to lose more sleep than men. One of the reasons that was brought out was the rotating shifts and night shift schedules, this makes it hard to have a regular healthy sleep habit. Of course 20 years ago, less women worked, many stayed home taking care of their families. They were able to at least sleep at night and maybe take a nap now and then.
Another reason why women get less sleep than men do is because of pain. Again the National Foundation for Sleep brought out that (58%) more women suffer from night time pain than men (48%) according to a 1996 NSF Gallup poll. In more recent (2000) NSF Sleep in America poll, one in four women reported that pain or physical discomfort interrupted their sleep three nights a week or more.
A social factor that may account for this gender difference would be again their rotating shifts. Working a rotating shift takes away from time spent with family/home responsibilities and enjoying recreational activites (National Sleep Foundation).
A psychological factor may be menopause. Menopause is a time for hormonal, physical and a psychological change for a womans body. Understanding menopause and the changes that occur can help with insomnia during this period.
A physiological factor would be insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation more women are more likely to report insomnia than men. Fortunately, their are a number of approaches to improving sleep, including those you can do yourself , such as exercise, establishing regular bed and wake times, dietary changes (less or no caffine or alcohol) and improving your sleep environment. One recent study found that overweight, post-menopausal,
women who exercise in the morning experience less difficulty falling asleep and better quality sleep than evening exercisers.
Some factors that may explain why sleep disorders go untreated according to the National Sleep Foundation people disregard talking to their physician about their sleep disorders. Two out of ten people in a survey would not seek help from a doctor.
I have learned from this unit the importance of our senses and how they are used to determine our perception of the world around us.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Classic Theories of Human Development
Deciding to open a summer camp for children from the ages of 18 months to 18 years i would choose the following activies.
Ages 18 months: (1. Sensorimotor stimulation activities. According to Piaget stages of human development for the first year or two and a half years of life, infants are only aware of sensorimotor experience. They do not connect with things outside themselves. They do not know how things react so they are always experimenting (A Science Odyssey). I would choose toys and ojects that are soft and that could not be easily broken. Items that could not be swallowed. For example soft books with things that make souds and with many colors. Books like these would also prepare a toddler for reading later on.
(2. Another activity would be blocks, the old time favorite which cannot be ingested and will help build motor skills and coordination.
Ages 5 years: (1. The cognitive mind has progressed. At this age they are well familiar with sight and sound. Therefore the next level of learning begins. Again according to Piaget when he helped standardize tests for gauging the reasoning abilities of five to eight year olds. He was fascinated to find that at a certain age, children could solve particular reasoning problems, but more than that, at an earlier age, they nearly always gave the same wrong answer.(A Science Odyssey). The first activity I would choose would be a learning game, something like a V-Tech computer or V-tech handheld game since it resembles the handheld gaming systems. These learning systems are designed to teach them problem solving, computer and technology skills and creativity.
(2. The next activity would be plenty of books believe or not children at this age love books. They also need books. Without reading skills they surely would not be able to play and understand some of the activites they are involved with. Words are everywhere and at that age would be the best time to push lots of words and phonics on them.
Ages 8 years: (1. At this age motor skill and coordination are fairly well developed. According to Piget's stages they are aware of events outside of their lives. (A Science Odyssey). They have entered the concrete operational stage. Given concrete materials, they begin to grasp conversation-that change in shape does not mean change in quantity. During this stage Piaget said that, children fully gain the mental ability to comprehend mathmatical transformations and conservation. (Exploring Psychology in Modules, David G Myers, pg. 115). My first activity would be more comprehensive math and reading games. Challenging mind games such as Monopoly and scrabble help a child at that age to reach deep into their brain and really use counting, reasonong and spelling skills.
(2. My next activity for them would be an outside sport, something that would require plenty of hand and eye coordination, such as bike riding, jumping rope and skating. These activities also help with jugdement skills
Ages 18 years: (1. Theorist Erik Erikson (1963) Contended that each stage of life has it's own "psychosocial" task, a crisis that needs resolution. The adolescent's task is to synthesize past, present and future possibilities into a clearer sense of self. "Adolescent's wonder, Who am I as an individual? What do I want to do with my life? What values should I live by? What do I believe in?" Erikson called this quest the adolescent's" search for identity". (Exploring Psychology in Modules, David Myers, pg. 128.) My first activity would be books and information and computers. Looking up and finding out information on what they want to do for their career. The internet can be very helpful. Exploring what they really want to do, and what they enjoy doing could also be an activity.
(2. My next activity would be sports or some kind of craft and cooking project. The new technology in cooking and crafts make these projects more interesting and fun.
In this unit I learned that a child's developing mind is not like that of an adult. They do not think like adults do. They do not reason or comprehend the way an adult does. Sometimes I forget that with my son. This unit helped me to remember that he will be a kid until he grows up.
Ages 18 months: (1. Sensorimotor stimulation activities. According to Piaget stages of human development for the first year or two and a half years of life, infants are only aware of sensorimotor experience. They do not connect with things outside themselves. They do not know how things react so they are always experimenting (A Science Odyssey). I would choose toys and ojects that are soft and that could not be easily broken. Items that could not be swallowed. For example soft books with things that make souds and with many colors. Books like these would also prepare a toddler for reading later on.
(2. Another activity would be blocks, the old time favorite which cannot be ingested and will help build motor skills and coordination.
Ages 5 years: (1. The cognitive mind has progressed. At this age they are well familiar with sight and sound. Therefore the next level of learning begins. Again according to Piaget when he helped standardize tests for gauging the reasoning abilities of five to eight year olds. He was fascinated to find that at a certain age, children could solve particular reasoning problems, but more than that, at an earlier age, they nearly always gave the same wrong answer.(A Science Odyssey). The first activity I would choose would be a learning game, something like a V-Tech computer or V-tech handheld game since it resembles the handheld gaming systems. These learning systems are designed to teach them problem solving, computer and technology skills and creativity.
(2. The next activity would be plenty of books believe or not children at this age love books. They also need books. Without reading skills they surely would not be able to play and understand some of the activites they are involved with. Words are everywhere and at that age would be the best time to push lots of words and phonics on them.
Ages 8 years: (1. At this age motor skill and coordination are fairly well developed. According to Piget's stages they are aware of events outside of their lives. (A Science Odyssey). They have entered the concrete operational stage. Given concrete materials, they begin to grasp conversation-that change in shape does not mean change in quantity. During this stage Piaget said that, children fully gain the mental ability to comprehend mathmatical transformations and conservation. (Exploring Psychology in Modules, David G Myers, pg. 115). My first activity would be more comprehensive math and reading games. Challenging mind games such as Monopoly and scrabble help a child at that age to reach deep into their brain and really use counting, reasonong and spelling skills.
(2. My next activity for them would be an outside sport, something that would require plenty of hand and eye coordination, such as bike riding, jumping rope and skating. These activities also help with jugdement skills
Ages 18 years: (1. Theorist Erik Erikson (1963) Contended that each stage of life has it's own "psychosocial" task, a crisis that needs resolution. The adolescent's task is to synthesize past, present and future possibilities into a clearer sense of self. "Adolescent's wonder, Who am I as an individual? What do I want to do with my life? What values should I live by? What do I believe in?" Erikson called this quest the adolescent's" search for identity". (Exploring Psychology in Modules, David Myers, pg. 128.) My first activity would be books and information and computers. Looking up and finding out information on what they want to do for their career. The internet can be very helpful. Exploring what they really want to do, and what they enjoy doing could also be an activity.
(2. My next activity would be sports or some kind of craft and cooking project. The new technology in cooking and crafts make these projects more interesting and fun.
In this unit I learned that a child's developing mind is not like that of an adult. They do not think like adults do. They do not reason or comprehend the way an adult does. Sometimes I forget that with my son. This unit helped me to remember that he will be a kid until he grows up.
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